Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
The Indianapolis Colts selected Phillip Dorsett in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft. The pick gave the Colts the deepest receiving corps in the NFL. The team sees Dorsett as another future playmaker, but it will be interesting to see how they utilize this rookie’s speed and explosiveness this season.
Dorsett’s statistics back up his explosive ability. In his final year at the University of Miami, Dorsett had 871 receiving yards and 10 receiving touchdowns on only 36 receptions, which averages to 24.2 receiving yards per reception. He also had a game with 201 receiving yards and two touchdowns on four receptions.
Dorsett walks into a perfect situation. He will be able to learn from talented receivers like T.Y. Hilton and Andre Johnson, Andrew Luck will be throwing him the football and he will battle for the No. 3 receiver position. Dorsett’s main competitors for the No. 3 receiver spot are Donte Moncrief and Duron Carter. However, the team will have other uses for the rookie than just playing receiver.
Dorsett got a lot of reps as the punt and kickoff returner during OTAs and minicamp, so he is the favorite to be the primary returner when the season begins. The Colts have not had a strong returning game for a long time. Dorsett doesn’t need to get touchdowns on his return, but he needs to give the Colts good field position.
The Colts will probably use Dorsett similarly to how they used Moncrief last season. Dorsett will likely be the No. 4 or No. 5 receiving option coming out of training camp. There is no reason to rush him onto the field immediately, because the Colts have other talented receivers. However, offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton will find ways to get Dorsett onto the field.
Dorsett will probably be used in special packages early on and then get more regular opportunities later in the season. The Colts saw how well that worked with Moncrief, who had a 36-yard receiving touchdown in the team’s playoff game win against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Colts want Dorsett to be ready to make contributions like that.
He will be given chances this season, and it would not be surprising if Dorsett turned those chances into a few highlight reel catches or returns.
